Wet weekend forecast as slow moving low approaches

On Wednesday morning the slow moving weather system was about 1600 kilometres north-north-east of Townsville.

Bureau of Meteorology Townsville forecaster Andrew Cearns says there are no signs of the system developing into a cyclone yet.

"It is still fairly disorganised out there on satellite picture but computer models are still trying to go with the idea of it gradually developing over the next couple of days as it shifts south westerly," he said.

Mr Cearns says if the system moves as close to the coast as computer models suggest, rain should develop between Cairns and Townsville by Saturday and south of Townsville as the weekend progresses.

"That is when we might see the real effects if that low or cyclone does get close to us," he said.

Despite "chopping and changing" of computer model outcomes the system is likely to move south-westerly over the next few days.

If the system does develop into a cyclone it appears likely to approach the coast between Cairns and Townsville by late Saturday and may track southerly or south-easterly from there says Mr Cearns.

"Which may keep it off the coast or keep it from crossing the coast until (like cyclone Dylan did)... down towards the Whitsundays area," he said.

If you are yet to prepare a cyclone kit, learn how to prepare for cyclone on the ABC Emergency page.

The slow-moving low is forecast to approach the coast between Cairns and Townsville late on Saturday but there are no signs of the system developing into a cyclone yet says Mr Cearns
(Bureau of Meteorology - bom.gov.au )